Laptop GPS

[teufelhunden]

OK, I'm confused.

I just got a new laptop and I'd like to use it for GPS navigation [among other things] in my car. How do I go about doing this? Is it as simple as buying a USB GPS receiver [like http://www.buygpsnow.com/navibe-gm72...abled-779.aspx or http://www.buygpsnow.com/bu-353-353-...waas-455.aspx] and then plugging it in after I've installed the proper software and drivers? Or... what. I have no idea at all.

Halp?

[Muzikman]

Buy this package deal. Can't beat the price.

http://www.usglobalsat.com/item.asp?itemid=80

I have that GPS puck and love it. It's a great little unit.

Also, for around town nagigation you can't get better than iGuidance.

If you are looking for trip planning software, I would suggest Delorme Street atlas.

Also, if you spend the $15 for GPS Gate, you can run multiple GPS enabled apps at the same time off one GPS (something you normally can not do).

[Thordic]

I have run this in the past, its simple.

My stuff is probably kind of outdated but I used a Garmin eTrex and Rand McNally Streetfinder software.

[Muzikman]

Problem with using the etrex is that the unit is serial and it's hard to find a laptop with a serial interface. So then you have to get a USB to serial converter and it throws a lot more complexity into the mix.

Also, the etrex runs on batteries, so you have to either use batteries, or get a car charging cable for it too.

here is my setup.





You can see the puck on the dashboard in the first pic. I have a small bolt going through the dash and the puck sticks to it via a magnet.

I have a 6 port USB2 hub inside the dash that runs the indash DVD / CD-RW, GPS, Bluetooth receiver, Data cable for my cell phone.

[teufelhunden]

Buy this package deal. Can't beat the price.

http://www.usglobalsat.com/item.asp?itemid=80

I have that GPS puck and love it. It's a great little unit.

Also, for around town nagigation you can't get better than iGuidance.

If you are looking for trip planning software, I would suggest Delorme Street atlas.

Also, if you spend the $15 for GPS Gate, you can run multiple GPS enabled apps at the same time off one GPS (something you normally can not do).

Thanks for the link.

Net net is, have software + unit = functional map/directions?

Also, does any of the software have audible instructions? If so, which software is recommended?

[Muzikman]

The iGuidance talks to you, but you can not talk to it.

Delorme talks to you and you can talk back (ie ask for the next turn, ask how much longer until the destination, etc.).

Problem with delorme is the interface sucks for around town navigation. Menues are small, search is complicated, etc.

iGuidance uses the same maps and interface as a lot of the incar nav systems. It's got large on-screen menues and such.

[teufelhunden]

The iGuidance talks to you, but you can not talk to it.

Delorme talks to you and you can talk back (ie ask for the next turn, ask how much longer until the destination, etc.).

Problem with delorme is the interface sucks for around town navigation. Menues are small, search is complicated, etc.

iGuidance uses the same maps and interface as a lot of the incar nav systems. It's got large on-screen menues and such.

Cool, thanks. I think I'm gonna get just the physical unit and then get some trial versions or versions of the software and see what I like.

Anybody have experience with MS Streets and Trips?

[Muzikman]

Steet and trips suck. Don't bother.

There are also no trial versions (or pirated versions) of the better software. You can probably find Delorme Steet Atlas out there illegally, but none of the other apps.

[teufelhunden]

Steet and trips suck. Don't bother.

There are also no trial versions (or pirated versions) of the better software. You can probably find Delorme Steet Atlas out there illegally, but none of the other apps.

a quick search revealed otherwise, at least for iGuidance. Worst that happens is it doesn't work and I need to grab a legit copy.

[Muzikman]

Well, then you are better than me.

Now go find me the National Geographic State Series TOPO! software.

[teufelhunden]

Well, then you are better than me.

Now go find me the National Geographic State Series TOPO! software.

Found it for parks =/

[teufelhunden]

The iGuidance site claims its app needs 1gb of RAM... has this been the case in your experience Muzik?

[Muzikman]

I am running 768MB in my car computer and it runs fine.